Canadian jazz great Peter Appleyard, a longtime favorite at New Bern’s annual Sunday Jazz Showcase, died of natural causes last week.

“Peter had performed at our Sunday Jazz Showcase several times over the past years and was one of New Bern’s most loved musicians,” said John Sturman, showcase organizer. “I had just asked him a couple weeks ago to join us again this coming February. He was trying to help find a female vocalist to join us here also.”

Sturman said Applegate and he planned to talk again soon.

“Peter was a great friend and always more than willing to help with our event in any way that he could and he enjoyed very much being our leader,” Sturman added. “His passing will make all those who attended his concerts only all the more appreciative of having been at one or more of his appearances. Due to his many years in the business, he knew so many, many of the past and present jazz musicians. Listening to his many stories about them was incomparable.”

Appleyard appeared in New Bernfive times, beginning in 1996.

Appleyard, 84, died of natural causes at home on a farm in Eden Mills, Ont., his friend and manager John Cripton of Great World Artists confirmed to the Canadian press.

The vibraphonist, percussionist and composer came out of retirement in 2012 to release two new albums.

According to news reports, he was born in 1928 in England and immigrated to Toronto, Canada, in 1951, where he spent much of the rest of his life.

He started his own band in 1956, which led to frequent TV and radio appearances by the budding musician.

He played in the Benny Goodman band for eight years.

In 1992, Appleyard was made an officer in the Order of Canada.

According to published reports, his last performance was this past May, when he and a group of his decorated friends — including Basso on trumpet, Jane Bunnett on sax and Terry Clarke on drums — gathered for a night of jazz in Appleyard’s barn.